TMNT: Lullaby for Leo

Ch.8~ Note

I sat up trembling, I could feel my heart racing in my chest as I looked around my room. Relieved that I was safe at home I flopped back onto my bed, then I heard it a soft knock on my door. Slowly I got up from the warm covers and opened the door; there stood Leo looking at me worriedly.

"Are you okay Raph, I thought I heard you screaming?" he asked, I frowned but leaned forward putting my head on his shoulder.

Soon he had his arms around me holding me, I let myself relax in his embrace. All the fear from my dream washed away as he hummed a lullaby Splinter used to sing. It was called the Edo lullaby, this had been one of my favorites along with the Takeda lullaby. Then he began to hum the tune to my lullaby, I smiled all the tension leaving me.

"Lullaby for you and for all, may we all fall asleep tonight, if I fall someone will catch me and I will never fall again. Sleeping soundly under the stars, making wishes for a brighter start. Under the moon, we sing a lullaby for you and for all. Dancing quietly to your own beat, making moves that flow through all time. Singing softly, singing loud don't wake the child that sleeps so sound." I sang in a whispered hushed tone.

"Don't worry Raph everything going to be alright I promise you that the Shredder will never hurt you. He's gone, and even if he was still around I'd protect so you don't have to be afraid alright Raphie." Leo hushed, lifting my head our lips touched this made me feel warm but soon his lips weren't gently pressed to mine.

"I... I love you." I stuttered my cheeks reddening as my words were greeted with silence.

"I love you too, now you going to be alright to sleep alone tonight?" he asked, I flushed more.

"I'm not a little kid Leo, don't look at me like that you didn't have to come in the first place fearless," I growled in embarrassment.

His lips touched mine again and molded against mine with more passion and gentleness than the last one. I closed my eyes as he began to deepen the kiss, I felt his tongue push on my lips wanting entrance. Opening my mouth, I wrapped my arms around Leo's neck as our tongues meet and began to dance. We parted but there was a string of saliva attaching our mouths.

"Are you sure you'll be okay alone tonight?" he said again, and we kissed again quickly.

"Father wouldn't be happy if you stayed with me, but could you at least stay till I fall asleep?" I muttered, he smiled and hugged me gently.

"Of course, I will."

(April's POV)

I sighed, now that the boys are staying with me this is the first time it's been quiet. Heading toward the kitchen I gazed into the living room and saw Raph sitting on a chair by the window. He was staring intently at his wrist, I silently walked up to him when I noticed a scar over his main artery on his wrist. When did he get that?

"Raph?" I said, he grabbed his wrist quickly looking at me in shock.

"What?" he muttered and slipped back on his wristband hiding the scar.

"What happened to your wrist?" I asked he frowned and turned to look out the window.

"Caught it on something when I was little." he stated, okay now that is a lame lie.

"You know if something's bothering you, I'm always here to help," I added, hoping to coax him into telling me the truth.

"I told you the truth now stop bugging me," he growled, I sighed and patted his shoulder before heading towards the kitchen. Did something bad happen to Raph?

(Raph's POV)

(Flashback)

I dug my sai between the metal and the wall popping it off so we had an escape method. Everyone piled out and Casey and I grabbed onto Leo and carried him out. Picking him up I ran with Casey at my side as the building burst into flames and April cried. I stared down at Leo's bloodied out limp body in my arms; damn idiot.

We all piled into April's van and drove off toward Casey's apartment, I laid down Leo as Don went to examine him. Looking up at me his eyes widened, what was up with him. Mikey leaned over Don to stare at me in shock, okay what was up?

"Raph there's a blade of an ax in your shell," Don stated in shock, I can't feel my shell though... wait they don't know that!

"Really, I don't feel anything," I stated, god this is going to be hard to explain. "Leo needs your help more than me I don't even feel this."

"Donatello tend to Leonardo, I can handle Raphael." Splinter stated Don, nodded sheepishly looking at me still in shock.

Moving over to Splinter he grabbed the blade and yanked it out of my shell all I felt was my shell being pulled back a bit, so it pressed more into my chest. Does this mean I'll have to tell everyone what happened, no I have to tell Leo first but I'm still too scared to tell him? Hell, what if... what if he dies...

"Don... Is Leo gonna be okay?" I asked trying not to burst into tears.

"He'll live, but it will take a while for him to be back to normal, we need a safe place to hide out till this is all over," Don stated.

"How about my grandma's farmhouse in New Hampshire, it's remote and not many neighbors so it'll be a nice place to stay," Casey suggested.

"That sounds perfect Casey." Splinter said, leaning over to me he whispered. "The choice of telling them is yours, my son."

"Let's get goin' before fearless here gives up," I growled.

(End Flashback)

Everyone had gone to bed; Leo was on the couch and Don and Mikey slept upstairs with Splinter while April and Casey bunked downstairs. I couldn't leave Leo's side so I stood looking out the window like I had when we talked to Leo earlier, tears in my eyes.

Slowly I began to hum my lullaby, please if anyone's up there don't let him die, I love him so much. You already took Vincent from me please don't take him, if I did something wrong punish me not him. I'll take all the punishment I deserve, I can handle hell but please don't hurt Leo. Please I love him so much and I can't live without him, please you already took Vincent and killed a part of me don't take the rest of my heart.

I sobbed heavily, walking back over to Leo I knelt in front of him and touched his face. I love you so much Leo, you're the only thing holding me together since they took me away from Vincent. I know we fight but you hold the rest of my heart and keep me from trying to commit suicide again. Don't die, please keep fighting Leo I can't live without you!

(Splinter's POV)

Raphael had cried himself to sleep, his head lay next to Leonardo on the couch, his body leaning against the couch. His cheeks were streaked with tear stains and his bandana turned a darker red around his eyes. I laid a blanket across his shoulders, placing a hand on his head I rubbed it sadly. His heart has still not healed, and I fear he could fall apart. I feel he's slowly dying in front of me.

"You can't keep all this bottled up much longer Raphael, please tell your brothers before you fade away." I soothed, sadly I walked away from my sons.

(Leo's POV)

Picking up a piece of scrap metal from the heap in the barn I swung it around; how could I fail! Why was I so weak?! How the hell can I protect Raph if I can't even hold my own against the foot... I swore I'd protect Raph so he'd never have to see this kind of hell anymore. Why am I such a failure?!

Tossing the piece of metal I saw Raph lean down and pick up a hammer I had dropped earlier. Holding the hammer up he looked at me a sad smile on his face. Grabbing the piece of scrap metal he placed both it and the hammer on the anvil workbench.

"How about we stop mopin' around and make you a pair of swords." he stated.

I smiled, soon we were working on a new set of swords he gathered up wood for the furnace and heated up the metal while I pounded into the shape of katana. As my wounds healed I could work more soon we had a full pair of katanas. Before we left the barn Raph pulled out some blue fabric and weaved onto the handles of my swords. Sitting next to him as he did this I smiled.

"Raph thank you for everything..." I thanked he looked at me and smiled.

"You've done the same for me, anyways this is what you do when you love someone." he replied, smiling I kissed his lips quickly.

"Thank you so much Raphie, I love you."

"Stop being such a sap fearless."

He was so cute when he did this, he blushes like a fool and tries to be all tough. If only you knew how sweet you look...

(Raph's POV)

I grabbed all the things I would need for our raid of the Shedder's base, pausing I saw a piece of paper shoved in one of my old journals. Picking it up I saw a note, opening it up I smiled sadly.

'Sorry I've been so mean to Raphie, I love you so much. I don't care what Dad says anymore I wanna hold you, kiss you, and never let you go. I love you more than anything Raphie and I've been so depressed without you. PS. If you're an angel can you give me a sign, so I know where you are I'm scared of not knowing anymore and I promise I won't kill myself I know you'd want me to live? Love Leo' I read, idiot...

Leaving my room, I walked up to Leo's room, knocking on his door I waited for him to open up. Opening the door, I pressed my lips to his quickly, then handing him the note I went back to my room. Such an idiot, but I love him...